SAFE TRAVELS
Bernadette Keene
Today’s Scripture: “Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from him a safe journey for ourselves, our children, and all our goods.” Ezra 8:21, ESV
Theme: Fast in preparation for a mission.
PACKING UP
When I was a teenager, my family moved from California to North Carolina. Packing up and making decisions about what to keep and what to throw away coupled with the stress of starting new jobs, purchasing a home without seeing it, and driving three thousand miles across the country was daunting. Nevertheless, we backed out of our snow-filled driveway one early October morning and pulled into our tiny southern abode seven days later. I cannot recall details about the journey other than my dad stopping at every Stuckey’s along the way! Two teenagers and a cat could not have been an enjoyable time for my dad, but God blessed us with safe travels, and we arrived at our destination safely.
RETURNING FROM EXILE
Today’s Scripture teaches us about the preparation that took place as Ezra journeyed from Babylon to Jerusalem, leading a second group of exiles. Ezra had proclaimed in advance that God’s hand of protection would be on them. He had faith that God would be with them for their long journey but had also faced challenges leading up to their departure. Ezra led the people to humble themselves in prayer and proclaimed a fast. The people fasted and earnestly prayed that God would take care of them, and He heard their prayer (see Ezra 8:23).
TRUSTING GOD ALONG THE WAY
Like Ezra, we have faith that God is always with us, but there are times that our fleshly nature can cause us to doubt. When it comes time to head out on a long journey, a career change, or when plans go awry, it can be easy to let doubt creep in. Fasting and prayer can help to block out the voices of doubt and focus on the God’s voice, trusting Him to guide and protect us as we move in rhythm to His will.
Make It Personal: We all face diverse types of journey: moving to a new home, battling through health issues, divorce, taking care of aging parents, death, maybe a global mission trip. What type of journey are you on today and how can fasting and praying for God’s protection and provision fit into it?
Pray: Lord, this life is a journey, and we do not always make the right turns. Give us wisdom and desire to earnestly seek You through fasting and prayer, knowing that You hear us when we humble ourselves before You. Help us to come to You first, before we move, seeking Your will and trusting You wholeheartedly – Amen.
Read: Joel 2:12; Acts 13:2
Weekly Memory Verse: “It will be said on that day, ‘Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us. This is the Lord; we have waited for him; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.’” Isaiah 25:9, ESV